baby tv

[nk1605]

I've just discovered the BabyTV channel and my 9 week old dd seems to love it! she's cooing and moving her arms and legs all about while watching it. It's also given me some much needed time to do things about the house. But is it right to let my dd watch it at this age? I think I remember reading you should try avoid tv until they're over 2. is it a bad idea even though she is amused?

You'll get very divided opinions here I think. Many countries (the U.S. and Australia for example, I think) recommend that under 2s watch no TV/screens at all. Many people on MN will say that their children watch many hours of TV a day with no problem.

I personally decided not to use TV/screens with my DS so he watched/watches no TV. Now he is over 2 he does watch some things on the iPad but not very much.

You will get divided opinion

I've looked into it and rightly or wrongly I believe the stuff that says it can damage their brains and isn't good for them. They can't distinguish between tv and real life etc

But lots of people use it

Googled to find you some informative links and on the first page is 'parents, calm down about screen time!'

As long as you aren't plonking them in front of the TVs all day and not interacting with them, I think it's ok. I always have it on as background noise while playing with DD. She doesn't watch it though (except the weather forecast!)

My DD (7 months) will watch anything on the TV. It's the moving images she is entranced by.

So mostly she watched the BBC News channel.

She may well grow up thinking Norman Smith is a childrens entertainer!

I can't sit in a silent house so have more or less always had the tv and/or radio on.
I did try to avoid plonking ds on front of it when he was a baby but found that it was useful for being able to go to the loo in peace, get on with the washing and cooking etc and for introducing/preparing him for new experiences such as 1st dentist trip etc.
By the time dd was born I never really thought about it and it helped in the chaotic early days of having 2 under 2 so she's never not had access to the tv.
I have found that it helps with their independent role play activities - ds is always reenacting episodes of Fireman Sam or Paw Patrol for example and dd does the same with Ben & Holly and has learned all sorts of facts such as windmills were used for making flour and that honey is collected from bees' hives. They also 'read' the associated books and magazines and enjoy completing the activities so this is helping with their recognition of letters, sounds and numbers.
What I'm trying to say, in a very long winded way, is that I don't think that watching tv is as bad as some people fear so long as they're not just shoved in front of a screen and left to it for hours on end with no other interaction.

19 week old DD has been highly entertained by Eamon Holmes for most of her life

When dd was born we lived in a 2 bed flat and my husband worked nightshifts. She wasnt a fussy baby but if I left her alone for 10minutes to go do the dishes she would start to fuss and wake dh. I quickly learned that baby tv would keep her entertained for as long as I needed! I will even admit to sticking it on and having a nap on the couch for an hour while she sat happily watching it.

Now at 17 months she will watch the tv for 5 minutes then run off and do other things.

I have used it too in an emergency (like I need a poo now!!) But I try and keep the TV off as much as possible, it distracts from proper learning and is linked to attention disorders. Really interesting book 'brain rules for baby' covers this.

we dont have a tv but my ds LOVES the washing machine; as in, sits and stares at it even if its not on. I have no idea why that would be better than tv, but if it makes you feel less guilty give it a go. He'll start being interested in watching whatever youre doing soon, but i personally wouldnt worry about watching tv now and then